Crestview elementary school to add arts, science focus

Beginning in August, Northwood Elementary School will offer an arts and science academy for students in third through fifth grades.

KATIE TAMMEN / Daily News

CRESTVIEW — Students in the north part of Okaloosa County will soon have a closer opportunity to explore their artistic side.

Beginning in August, Northwood Elementary School will offer an arts and science academy for students in third through fifth grades, according to Principal Jacqueline Craig.

“We were looking for ways to provide Northwood students with enrichment experiences that would enhance their desires and capabilities to learn,” Craig said of the decision.

The academy will provide all students in those grades already enrolled at Northwood the opportunity to participate in dance, music, art, science, technology, engineering and math programs, plus open up 88 seats for students from other schools in the north end.

An arts and science academy has been in the planning stages for several years at the school, but officials kept delaying it for a variety of reasons, Craig said.

This year, though, finally seemed like the year to do it, especially with Deputy Superintendent Kaye McKinley advocating for it on a district level.

McKinley said when she learned about the program she knew they needed it, especially with the recent population increase in that part of the county following the arrival of new military units.

Up until now, students in the north end have had to drive to schools in the south or central part of the district to participate in similar programs.

The academy will be set up inside classrooms at Northwood and some empty rooms inside Richbourg School, a former middle school that shares a campus with the elementary school.

“It already is a state-of-the-art facility and it’s being underused,” McKinley said of the campus. “It’s going to be exciting the things that we can do there.”

The final renovations to prepare for the program got the green light at an Okaloosa County School Board meeting earlier this month, but the finer details of the academy are still being worked out including the type of dance that will be offered and how many new positions will need to be hired to open it.

Craig said they will be going out into the community soon to get feedback and seek sponsors for the various programs. She expected to have more details ironed out about the program shortly after returning from the holiday break.

For more information, contact Northwood Elementary School at 850-689-7252.